Truck storage box with integrated lighting and power

ABSTRACT

A truck storage box with integrated lighting and power is disclosed. In one embodiment, the lighting is a light assembly including a light emitting diode (LED) strip that is powered by drawing vehicle electrical power from a truck to trailer electrical socket of the vehicle, and routes the electrical power into the truck storage box mounted on the vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/654,337, filed Oct. 16, 2019, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/747,458 filed Oct. 18, 2018. Theentire disclosure contents of these applications are herewithincorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND A. Field

This disclosure relates generally to truck storage boxes, and moreparticularly to a truck storage box having integrated lighting andpower.

B. Description of Related Art

Truck storage boxes can be installed in pickup trucks for placing andstoring tools and other electronic equipment. Some truck storage boxesinclude lighting to enable a user to find tools and other items easily.The lighting, as well as other known vehicle accessories, may use thepower from the vehicle, and are controlled by the vehicle ignitionswitch. However, it may be difficult and/or burdensome to tap into thevehicle's electrical wiring harness for power. Alternatively, batteriescan be used as a source of power for the lighting, but may failunexpectedly.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described andillustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which aremeant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

In one aspect, a truck storage box is disclosed. The truck storage boxincludes an outer body, an interior, and a lid, the lid being connectedto the outer body by a hinge. The truck storage box further includes amagnetic switch mounted within the interior, a magnet secured to thelid, and a lighting assembly secured to the interior. The lightingassembly is powered by a trailer electrical socket in communication withthe truck storage box.

In another embodiment, a method of providing power to a truck storagebox is disclosed. The method includes providing a truck storage boxhaving a body defining an interior, and a lid, the lid being connectedto the body by a hinge, the box further including a magnetic switchmounted within the interior, a magnet secured to the lid, and a lightingassembly secured to the interior of the truck storage box, connectingthe interior of the truck storage box to a 7-pin trailer electricalsocket, and providing DC power to the lighting assembly from the 7-pintrailer electrical socket.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to thedrawings and by study of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings. It is intendedthat the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be consideredillustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example truck storage box withintegrated lighting and power in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the truck storage box shown in FIG. 1positioned within a pickup truck;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the pickup truck and truck storage boxshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the interior of the truck storage box shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of an example light assembly for use with thetruck storage box shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of an example wiring arrangement in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an example wiring diagram for use with the truck storage boxshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is perspective view of the truck storage box shown in FIG. 1 withthe lid partially open; and

FIG. 9 is perspective view of the truck storage box shown in FIG. 1 withthe lid fully open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A truck storage box having integrated lighting and power is disclosed.In one embodiment, the lighting comprises a light emitting diode (LED)strip that is powered by drawing vehicle electrical power from a truckto trailer electrical socket of the vehicle, and routing the electricalpower into the truck storage box mounted on the vehicle. In oneembodiment, the socket is a 7-pin truck to trailer electrical socket. Insome embodiments, the electrical power from the trailer electricalsocket may also provide power to electrical devices, recharge batteries,or drive an inverter, and the like. The connector which connects thetruck storage box to the trailer electrical socket includes appropriate7-pin sockets without interrupting electrical power and brake/turnsignal input to a trailer.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example truck storage box 100 which canbe positioned within the bed of a pickup truck 200 is disclosed. Thetruck box 100 includes a body 102 and a lid 104. The lid 104 isconnected to the body via a hinge (not shown). In some embodiments, whenthe lid 104 is opened, a magnetic switch 106 mounted within the truckbox is actuated. Upon actuation, the magnetic switch 106 interacts withmagnet 108 to allow power from the trailer electrical socket of thepickup truck (shown in FIG. 6) to travel through a wire 109 and into thetruck box 100 through pass-through grommet 110 to a series of LEDs, suchas through an LED strip 112, which are mounted in the truck box 100 andare positioned to illuminate the inside of the truck box 100.

FIG. 3 shows an example schematic diagram of the pickup truck 200 andtruck storage box 100 positioned therein. The truck 200 has a frontportion 202 and a rear bumper 204. In one embodiment, a power supplywire connector 300 is positioned between a 7-pin truck wire harnessconnector 302 and a truck 7-pin connector 304 mounted in the rear truckbumper 204. A trailer 7-pin connector 306, if present, connects to theoutboard side of the truck 7-pin connector 304. This connection isdescribed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In thecase where a truck is not equipped with a trailer package, the end userwill have to wire, either by splicing into the vehicle wiring system,connecting to the vehicle fuse box, connecting directly to the battery,or connecting to a different distribution point, such as in the cabin ofthe truck or in the engine compartment.

The power supply wire 109 leading from the power supply wire connectorcarries ground and 12V DC power forward through available passageways inthe truck frame and bed. The power supply wire 109 enters the truck boxthrough the pass-through grommet 110. The power supply wire 109 passesthrough the magnetic switch 106 to provide power to a series of LEDs 113located within the truck box 100, such as through an LED strip 112.

FIG. 3 shows three other possible routes within the truck box 100 alongwhich DC power may be directed. All, none, or some of these optionalroutes may be present. In some example embodiments, DC power is used tocharge a battery 120 mounted in the truck box. DC power could be routedto various electronics located within the truck box through a port oroutlet 114. In some embodiments, example components that can use thepower provided in the truck box are power tools (for charging),batteries, flasher/emergency lights, flash lights, mobile phone, tablet,laptop, GPS/Bluetooth devices/module (for location services), cooler,heater, auxiliary battery (for charging), an electrical air compressor,and the like. Additionally, DC power could be routed to a series ofstandard outlets 116, such as USB ports and cigarette lighter typesockets. Each of these routings would have switches to disconnect the DCpower if desired.

FIG. 4 shows close-up view of the interior 400 of the truck storage box100 shown in FIG. 1. One or more gas springs 118 may be located in theinterior of the truck box 100 to assist in lifting the lid 104 of thetruck box, as well as maintain the lid in the open position. In someembodiments, a magnetic switch 106, such as a magnetic reed switch, ismounted on an interior wall of the body of the truck box 100 near thegas spring 118. The magnetic switch 106 is an electrical switch thatswitches to an open or closed position based on the magnet 108 that isplaced near the switch and provides a magnetic field. In one embodiment,the magnetic switch 106 is mounted on the body 102 of the truck box (topart of the light assembly) and the magnet 108 is mounted on the lid104. The magnet 108 aligns to the magnet switch 106 based on theorientation of the lid and switches on or off the electrical circuitthat is part of the light assembly 112, thereby allowing lights to turnon or off. The magnetic switch 106 is activated by opening the lid 104of the truck box 100, which then allows power to pass through the wire109 to the support strip 112 and illuminate the LEDs 113.

In addition, the power supply wire 109 connects the magnetic switch 106to a trailer electrical socket of the vehicle, as described in moredetail below. The power supply wire also connects the magnetic switch toa light assembly, which comprises a series of LEDs 113 mounted within asupport strip 112. The light assembly is located in the interior of thetruck box 100, as shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the supportstrip 112 is mounted in a location in the back part of the body of thetruck box, such as over the hinge of the truck box 100. This locationevenly distributes the light inside the box. In alternate embodiments,the light assembly 112, 113 can be mounted anywhere in the body of thetruck box as long as the magnetic switch 106 and the magnet 108 on thelid can align for proper operation. Additionally, the support strip 112protects the LED lights 113 and assembly from any of the tools,material, or other items that a user may store in the truck box 100.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of an example light assembly for use withthe truck storage box shown in FIG. 1. The light assembly includes theLEDs 113 mounted within the support strip 112. A plurality of LEDs 113are placed in a variety of locations along the strip 112. Although aseries of three LEDs are shown in succession, it should be understoodthat any number of LEDs may be present in any configuration on thesupport strip. The support strip 112 may be made of aluminum, forexample, and can be mounted onto the interior of the truck box 100 by afastening device such as, for example screws, glue, mechanical snaps,clips, welding, bolts, nuts, and the like. In alternate embodiments, thesupport strip 112 can be made of steel, plastic, or any polymer, or anyother material except for a material that produces a magnetic field, soas to not interfere with the magnetic switch 106.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show components of the power supply wire connector 300when installed in a pickup truck 200 and trailer plug wiring. The powersupply wire connector 300 connects the truck wire harness 206 to thebumper connector 304 and draws electrical power for use in the truck box100. FIG. 7 shows a wiring diagram for use with the truck storage boxshown in FIG. 1. The wiring diagram is for the current USCAR/SAEstandard for a trailer hitch plug followed by trucks sold with a towingpackage in the US and Canada. As shown in FIG. 7, 12V of DC power isavailable between pins 1 and 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the truck storage box 100 shown in FIG.1 with the lid 104 partially open and the LEDs 113 not lit. When the lidis closed, even partially, the magnet 108 will be outside of the switch106 sensing distance, so the switch 106 will not be activated to powerthe light assembly 112, 113.

FIG. 9 is perspective view of the truck storage box shown in FIG. 1 withthe lid 104 fully open and the LEDs 113 lit. When the truck box lid 104is fully open, the magnet 108 mounted on the lid is within thepre-determined proximity or distance from the switch 106 that triggersthe switch and activates the light assembly.

In other embodiments, the magnet and magnetic switch may be replacedwith alternate means of actuation, such as a mechanical actuatingswitch, a photo cell switch, a proximity switch, and the like.

The LEDs 113 and the support strip 112 may be provided installed in thetruck box 100, or could be sold as an after-market item which can beeasily mounted in the truck box 100 using the lid hinge fasteners.

The present application provides a number of advantages, including theease of availability of electrical power. Additionally, the method ofconnection through the existing trailer hitch electrical socket makes itless likely that electrical continuity at wiring harness splices will becompromised by the effect of water, salt, and the like.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussedabove, those of skill in the art will recognize that still furthermodifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof ofthe features of the disclosed embodiments are still possible. It istherefore intended that the following appended claims and claimshereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their truespirit and scope.

1. A truck storage box comprising: an outer body, an interior, and alid, the lid being connected to the outer body by a hinge; a magneticswitch mounted within the interior; a magnet secured to the lid; alighting assembly secured to the interior, wherein the lighting assemblyis powered by a trailer electrical socket in communication with thetruck storage box; and a wire configured to carry DC power to theinterior of the truck storage box from the trailer electrical socket,wherein the wire passes through the magnetic switch and into thelighting assembly; wherein the magnetic switch is activated by openingthe lid of the truck storage box.
 2. The truck storage box of claim 1,wherein the lighting assembly comprises an LED strip including aplurality of LEDs.
 3. The truck storage box of claim 1, wherein thelighting assembly is removeably mounted to the interior of the truckstorage box.
 4. The truck storage box of claim 1, wherein the lightingassembly is mounted over the hinge.
 5. The truck storage box of claim 1,wherein the DC power is routed to one or more components within thetruck storage box through a port or outlet.
 6. The truck storage box ofclaim 5, wherein the one or more components comprise power tools,batteries, emergency lights, flash lights, a mobile phone, a tablet, alaptop, a location services device, a cooler, a heater, or an aircompressor.
 7. The truck storage box of claim 1, wherein the wire entersthe truck storage box through a pass-through grommet in the body of thetruck storage box.
 8. The truck storage box of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one gas spring within the interior of the truckstorage box.
 9. The truck storage box of claim 1, wherein the trailerelectrical socket is a 7-pin connector.
 10. The truck storage box ofclaim 1, wherein the magnetic switch is a magnetic reed switch.
 11. Atruck storage box comprising: an outer body, an interior, and a lid, thelid being connected to the outer body by a hinge; a magnetic switchmounted within the interior; a magnet secured to the lid; a lightingassembly removeably secured to the interior, wherein the lightingassembly is powered by a trailer electrical socket in communication withthe truck storage box; and a wire configured to carry DC power to theinterior of the truck storage box from the trailer electrical socket;wherein the magnetic switch is activated by opening the lid of the truckstorage box.
 12. The truck storage box of claim 11, wherein the DC poweris routed to one or more components within the truck storage box througha port or outlet.
 13. The truck storage box of claim 12, wherein the oneor more components comprise power tools, batteries, emergency lights,flash lights, a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, a location servicesdevice, a cooler, a heater, or an air compressor.
 14. The truck storagebox of claim 11, wherein the trailer electrical socket is a 7-pinconnector.
 15. The truck storage box of claim 11, wherein the wireenters the truck storage box through a pass-through grommet in the bodyof the truck storage box.
 16. A method of providing power to a truckstorage box comprising: providing a truck storage box having a bodydefining an interior, and a lid, the lid being connected to the body bya hinge, the box further including a magnetic switch mounted within theinterior, a magnet secured to the lid, and a lighting assembly securedto the interior of the truck storage box; connecting the interior of thetruck storage box to a 7-pin trailer electrical socket; and providing DCpower to the lighting assembly via a wire from the 7-pin trailerelectrical socket; wherein when the lid is in an open position, themagnetic switch interacts with the magnet to provide power to activatethe lighting assembly, and when the lid is in a closed position, themagnetic switch does not interact with the magnet, thereby preventingpower from activating the lighting assembly.
 17. The method of claim 16,further comprising providing DC power to one or more components withinthe truck storage box through a port or outlet.
 18. The method of claim17, wherein the one or more components comprise power tools, batteries,emergency lights, flash lights, a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, alocation services device, a cooler, a heater, or an air compressor. 19.The method of claim 16 wherein the lighting assembly is removeablymounted to the interior of the truck storage box.
 20. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising positioning the truck storage box within abed of a pickup truck.